What to eat and what to avoid when suffering from intestinal inflammation?The inflammatory diet for the intestine helps us understand the role of nutrition for intestinal health, in prevention and pathology. Referring in particular to IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases). (1) From ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease – 200,000 diagnoses in Italy, with a growing trend – to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other disorders.
IBD and IBS, Humanitas experts
The book ‘The inflammatory diet for the intestine (Demetra Editions, 186 pages, 14.90 euros) is created by a group of experts coordinated by Silvio Danese, head of the Research and Care Center for inflammatory bowel diseases at the Gastroenterology department of theHumanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano, Milan. Contributors:
– Mariangela Allocca, gastroenterologist at the Danese-directed Center and professor at Humanitas University,
– Ambra Ciliberto, dietician specialized in nutrition for people affected by IBD,
– Carmen Correale, biologist researcher on the mechanisms generating IBD.
Foods to eat and foods to avoid
Nutrition, note well, is not the trigger cause of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, (2) nor the sufficient tool to cure them. However, it plays a crucial role, especially during the active phases of the disease, in mitigating symptoms and inflammation.
Foods that are too fatty or oily, spicy foods, and those containing caffeine and cocoa, for example, increase intestinal activity. Therefore, they are not recommended in cases of diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Other foods, generally healthy for the normal population, are discouraged during flare-ups of the disease. This includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, legumes, whole grains, and dairy products.
Do-it-yourself diets should in any case be avoided, as unjustified dietary restrictions can in turn lead to nutritional imbalances harmful to health. Just remember the dangers of the diet gluten free for those not instead forced by diagnosed allergies or intolerances.
FODMAPs to reduce for sensitive intestines
The dietary regimen indicated as useful to reduce symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBS and partly IBD) is the low-FODMAP diet (Fermentable Oligo-Di-saccharides And Polyols), that is, short-chain carbohydrates such as
- oligosaccharides, including fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides (found in cereals and legumes),
- disaccharides such as lactose (milk and its derivatives),
- monosaccharides such as fructose (fruit sugar),
- polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and maltitol (in certain types of fruits and vegetables and sweeteners).
This diet should not be prolonged for more than 2-4 weeks and must always be agreed upon with a specialist doctor, also to verify its results.
Probiotics and Omega-3
Besides the diets suggested for the various stages of diseases (liquid diet, low-residue diet, low-lactose diet, etc.), the book recalls the importance of symbiotic nutrition, meaning characterized by the intake of prebiotics and probiotics. The former are found in onions, bananas, tomatoes, honey, garlic, barley, and wheat, and 'nourish' some beneficial bacteria (the probiotics), such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. The latter are present in fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, for example) and in supplements (lactic ferments). Research has highlighted their beneficial role in intestinal health and the immune system. The symbiotic diet maintains the microbiome in good condition, which is believed to be involved in the genesis of IBD.
Omega-3s, in turn, are anti-inflammatory agents. As is well known, our body cannot synthesize them, so it is necessary to obtain them from the diet (primarily from fish, and then from plant sources such as flax seeds, nuts, for example.
30 intestine-friendly recipes
A dietary program and 30 recipes gut-friendly recipes enrich the valuable text under review. 5 recipes come from Marco Bianchi, scientific communicator of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation and passionate cook.
All the dishes presented are generally well tolerated by patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Vietnamese rolls, pumpkin in cream and flan, eggplant rolls with sardines, Trapanese pizzoccheri and many other delicious recipes for a balanced and gut-friendly diet.
Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) The keyword, in scientific literature, is IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(2) This assumption, referred to in the book under review, stems from the absence of scientific studies on the direct correlation between diet and IBD. It is also interesting to note that in Japan Crohn's disease appeared only in the mid-20th century. Precisely when the local traditional diet had at least partially 'Westernized' with the introduction of refined sugars in particular. The occurrence of food allergies in the Land of the Rising Sun is at the same time peculiar.
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of journalistic investigations on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
